GROUND HOG DAY, AGAIN

I recently watched the 1993 film Groundhog Day on the CTV app, and it had a lot of parallels to the self-isolation most of us are living right now. I suspect they made it available for February 2nd, and I honestly was just looking for some entertainment while in the throes of a 750 piece puzzle. I also have seen a groundhog while walking around the neighbourhood in different places recently, and remembered the film fondly.

Bill Murray plays a weatherman named Phil with a new producer Rita played by Andie MacDowell. He is antisocial and self absorbed, but good at his job. The premise is a great one. He goes to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to report the traditional spring prediction of their groundhog, also named Phil, and finds himself in a snow storm that he predicted he would miss. When he wakes up the next morning, it's Ground Hog day again and again and again, marked by the radio playing Sonnie and Cher singing "I've Got You, Babe".

I have many times thought about the film, and referenced Ground Hog day as a more familiar way to refer to Deja Vu. Its relevance to COVID quarantine is even truer. One day looks a lot like the rest for many people. With no travel, no social events, the days are blurring together as the weeks pass. It is an interesting parallel to our lives these days, as the story really reminds us that our day is what we make of it, and what are you going to do today, since you can't plan for tomorrow.

I thought it was really clever how the writers walked us through Phil's stages of grief:
Denial and isolation
Anger
Bargaining
Acceptance

It was interesting to reflect on my complete belief in two major premises that still held up. First, that this could ever happen, and yet it is the easiest thing to accept. Second, that an opportunistic cad like Phil would truly transform into a good man. It seems possible given enough time, and maybe the key was that Rita would only meet him first that day, so she wouldn't have a former version in memory to refute his true character. If I had any further criticism, it would be that I found Rita's character sadly lacking, and would have liked for her to have some primary role. Also, I hope the film doesn't increase the stress on a lovely animal that is always held up helplessly in a huddle of black clad men like Simba in the Lion King, in a misguided attempt to make sacred what is not.

I enjoyed rewatching Groundhog Day a lot, and will continue to live each day in the best way possible, one day a time.